We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Marlisse Silver Sweeney

This course, part of the Business Fundamentals Professional Certificate program, will sharpen your writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills to help you succeed in the business world. You will learn a range of successful practices and guidelines that have been derived from both research and experience.

You will learn strategies for honing your communication style, improving clarity, conciseness and impact. By the end of the course, you will be able to think strategically about all forms of communication, and communicate with diverse audiences.

Read more

This course, part of the Business Fundamentals Professional Certificate program, will sharpen your writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills to help you succeed in the business world. You will learn a range of successful practices and guidelines that have been derived from both research and experience.

You will learn strategies for honing your communication style, improving clarity, conciseness and impact. By the end of the course, you will be able to think strategically about all forms of communication, and communicate with diverse audiences.

What you'll learn

  • Build sound and logical arguments using the best evidence available
  • Communicate effectively in a business setting
  • Understand how to communicate with diverse audiences
  • Create a variety of effective and clearly written supporting business documents to better communicate

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Build sound and logical arguments using the best evidence available
  • Communicate effectively in a business setting
  • Understand how to communicate with diverse audiences
  • Create a variety of effective and clearly written supporting business documents to better communicate

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation in communication best practices
Guides learners toward communicating with different audiences
Covers a broad range of written and interpersonal communications
Is a part of a series of courses on Business Fundamentals

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical business communication skills

According to learners, this Business Communications course provides a solid foundation in essential professional communication skills. Students found the content on structuring arguments and creating business documents particularly useful. Many appreciated the practical examples and strategies that could be immediately applied to work. While some noted the course pace felt quick at times or that certain topics could use more depth, especially for experienced professionals, the consensus indicates it's a valuable resource for those looking to sharpen their communication for the business world. The assignments, often involving writing and presentations, were seen as key to reinforcing learning, although some felt peer feedback could be inconsistent.
Covers core concepts well, suitable for beginners.
"This course provided me with a strong foundation in the basics of effective business communication."
"As someone new to formal business settings, I found the step-by-step approach very easy to follow and understand."
"It clearly explains concepts like audience analysis and message clarity that are fundamental."
"Gave me a solid understanding of key principles needed for professional writing and speaking."
Provides immediately applicable strategies and tools.
"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work as a project manager."
"The examples given for writing emails and reports were spot-on and helped me improve my daily communication."
"The course directly improved my confidence in professional interactions and presentations."
"Provides useful frameworks for structuring arguments and messages that are easy to remember and use."
Pace can be fast; may lack depth for experienced learners.
"For someone with prior experience, some parts felt a bit too basic and the pace was maybe too slow initially, then sped up."
"I wish there was more in-depth discussion on advanced topics or nuances in different industries."
"While comprehensive, it sometimes feels like it skims the surface on complex communication scenarios."
"Could use more content for intermediate or advanced communicators looking to refine specific skills further."
Peer review quality varies; instructor feedback limited.
"The peer review system is helpful in theory, but the quality of feedback I received varied greatly."
"Sometimes peers would just give high scores without constructive criticism on assignments."
"I felt there could have been more direct feedback from instructors or TAs on the major assignments."
"Reliability of feedback is inconsistent, making it hard to gauge actual performance sometimes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Communications with these activities:
Review writing basics
Review the fundamentals of effective writing to strengthen your base knowledge.
Show steps
  • Review grammar rules and conventions.
  • Practice writing clear and concise sentences.
  • Identify the elements of a strong argument.
Explore online tutorials on effective interpersonal communication
Enhance your interpersonal communication skills through expert tutorials and practical guidance.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms offering tutorials on interpersonal communication.
  • Choose a tutorial that aligns with your specific communication goals.
  • Follow the tutorial's instructions and practice the techniques.
Join a study group to enhance communication skills
Collaborate with peers in a study group to foster active listening and diverse perspectives.
Show steps
  • Form or join a study group with individuals who share your learning goals.
  • Take turns presenting material and facilitating discussions.
  • Actively listen to others' perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend online workshops on presentation skills
Enhance your presentation abilities through guided tutorials and expert insights.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms offering workshops on presentation skills.
  • Choose a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Actively participate in the workshop and take notes for key takeaways.
Complete writing exercises to improve clarity and conciseness
Engage in targeted writing exercises to refine your ability to convey messages effectively.
Show steps
  • Find online or offline writing exercises that focus on clarity and conciseness.
  • Practice writing short, concise paragraphs and sentences.
  • Seek feedback on your writing to identify areas for improvement.
Participate in community outreach programs to practice communication skills
Engage in hands-on experience by volunteering and applying your communication skills in real-world scenarios.
Show steps
  • Identify local community outreach programs that align with your interests.
  • Volunteer your time and actively participate in the program.
  • Engage with diverse individuals and practice effective communication in a non-formal setting.
Develop a sample business proposal
Apply your understanding by creating a realistic business proposal, fostering your ability to synthesize information.
Show steps
  • Identify a business problem or opportunity.
  • Research the market and develop a solution.
  • Write a persuasive proposal outlining your plan.
  • Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your proposal.
Develop a presentation on a business-related topic
Solidify your understanding by creating a presentation that demonstrates your ability to convey information effectively.
Show steps
  • Choose a business-related topic that you are passionate about.
  • Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information.
  • Create a visually engaging and informative presentation using appropriate visuals and design elements.
  • Practice your presentation skills and deliver it to a small audience to gather feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Communications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Corporate Communications Manager
Corporate Communications Managers are responsible for managing and disseminating information about a company to its stakeholders. Business Communications is essential for success in this role as it teaches how to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, build sound arguments, and create clear and concise supporting documents.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers are responsible for writing technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for technical writing by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering clear, concise, and accurate technical documentation.
Content Creator
Content Creators are responsible for the creation and publication of digital content, such as articles, social media posts, and videos. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for content creation by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering effective and engaging content.
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public relations function of an organization. Business Communications teaches effective communication skills, including writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication, which are essential for PR professionals to effectively manage relationships with the media, stakeholders, and the public.
Journalist
Journalists research, write, and report on current events and other topics of interest to the public. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for journalism by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering accurate, informative, and engaging news stories and other content.
Media Relations Manager
Media Relations Managers are responsible for managing relationships with the media. Business Communications teaches effective communication skills, including writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication, which are essential for media relations professionals to effectively build relationships with journalists and other media professionals.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing plans. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for marketing management by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering effective marketing campaigns and other communications.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives provide support and assistance to customers. Business Communications teaches interpersonal communication skills, which are critical for building relationships with customers and resolving issues effectively.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. Business Communications teaches effective communication skills, including writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication, which are essential for HR professionals to effectively manage employees and build relationships with stakeholders.
Event Planner
Event Planners are responsible for planning and executing events. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for event planning by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering effective event proposals, presentations, and other communications.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. Business Communications provides a strong foundation for project management by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. It helps build a foundation for developing and delivering effective project plans, presentations, and other communications.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for managing the sales function of an organization. Business Communications teaches effective communication skills, including writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication, which are essential for sales professionals to effectively build relationships with customers and close deals.
Digital Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and measuring digital marketing campaigns. Business Communications helps build a foundation for success in digital marketing by teaching writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills essential for developing and delivering effective marketing campaigns.
Analyst
Analysts make sense of data to help companies understand where they currently stand and make better data-driven decisions for the future. Business Communications teaches effective writing and communication skills that are essential for presenting reports and other communications that support and influence decision-making. Whether you're looking to enter the field or advance your current analytical career, effective communication is essential for success.
Consultant
Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing expert advice and guidance. Business Communications is an excellent course to prepare aspiring or current consultants to communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and other professionals to provide clear and compelling recommendations.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Communications.
Effective business writing is an essential skill. comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of writing for business. It useful reference for students who want to learn how to write clear, concise, and persuasive business documents.
Takes a practical approach to business communication, covering topics such as writing emails, giving presentations, and negotiating. It good reference for students who want to improve their communication skills in the workplace.
Provides practical advice on how to have difficult conversations in a productive way. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills in a business setting.
This classic book provides essential guidance on writing clearly and effectively. It helpful reference for students who want to improve their writing skills in any context.
This inspiring book on writing offers practical advice and encouragement for writers of all levels. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to overcome writer's block and improve their writing skills.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser